THE LION HAS ROARED – WHO IS NOT AFRAID? Amos 2:6-3:8

28th of the 11th month 2017/2018

Shalom all,

Amos 1:1-2 “The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Teqowa, which he saw concerning Yisra’ěl in the days of Uzziyah sovereign of Yehuḏah, and in the days of Yaroḇ‛am son of Yo’ash, sovereign of Yisra’ěl, two years before the earthquake. 2And he said, “יהוהroars from Tsiyon, and gives forth His voice from Yerushalayim. And the pastures of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Karmel shall wither.”

We are told here, in the beginning of the Book of Amos, that Amos was a ‘herdsman from Teqowa’. Teqowa was a small town in the hill country of Yehuḏah.

The name עָמוֹסAmos– Strong’s H5986 means ‘burden’ or ‘burden bearer’, as his name comes from the root עָמַסamas – Strong’s H6006 which means, ‘to load, carry a load, lift up and take a burden’; and at its root can carry the understanding of encouragement, as one would lift or carry the load of another!

This word עָמַסamas – Strong’s H6006 is also used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 68:19 “Blessed be יהוה, day by day He bears our burden, the Ěl of our deliverance! Selah.”

We are also told to bear one another’s burdens in:

Galatiyim/Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so complete the Torah of Messiah.”

From this we see the critical need for us to be a people who are lifted up and enlisted to serve Messiah must ‘lift each other up’ so that - WE COMPLETE THE TORAH OF MESSIAH!

The Hebrew word used that is translated here as ‘herdsman’ comes from the root word נֹקֵדnoqeḏ – Strong’s H5349 which means, ‘sheep raiser, sheep dealer, sheep tender’, and literally speaks of one who manages the flock.

The small town of תְּקוֹעַTeqowa – Strong’s H8620 means, ‘a stockade’, and gives us a picture of ‘a sheepfold’, and comes from the root word תָּקַעtaqa– Strong’s H8628 which means, ‘to thrust, clap, blow, give a blast, trumpeter’.

From this introduction, as we are able to see that יהוהtook a shepherd, who knew how to count and look after sheep, from a place that can, at its root, mean “trumpet”, in order to loudly proclaim His Word to a people who were headed for destruction.

This is a call we also see being given to Yeshayahu, in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not spare. Lift up your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression, and the house of Yaʽaqoḇ their sins.”

This is exactly what Amos was called for! And in many ways, this is what we are all called for, as we are to be loud in our proclamation of the truth, bearing the burden of encouraging one another daily, as we look out for each other, warn each other and together raise the shout of our Coming King!

Amos was called by יהוהto announce His coming judgement upon Yisra’ĕl, and was given the clear job of calling them to repentance and turn from their sin and idolatry. Amos prophesied while both kingdoms of Yisra’ĕl were physically prospering and were expanding their territories, having taken hold of many important trade routes.

As prosperous as they had become, they were, at the same time, becoming more corrupt in their government and were exploiting the poor and needy; and worst of all, they had forgotten that they were a set-apart people unto יהוה.

Although they were seemingly very ‘religious’, it was all superficial.

The prophetic ministry of Amos took place during the time that Yaroḇ’am, son of Yo’ash, was sovereign over the House of Yisra’ĕl. (Yaroḇ’am, son of Yo’ash, was the 13th king of the House of Yisra’ĕl).

The first words of Amos are: “יהוהroars from Tsiyon, and gives forth His voice from Yerushalayim”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘roars’ is יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag, which comes from the root word שָׁאַגshaag – Strong’s H7580 which means, ‘to roar, roar mightily, groan’.

This root word is used 20 times in 17 verses, with it being used in this form יִשְׁאָ֔גyish’ag, 8 times in 6 verses, all of which are directly linked to the roaring sound of the voice of יהוה.

In a message called, “THE LION HAS ROARED – WHO IS NOT AFRAID?” I would like us to take a closer look at the words of Amos 2:6-3:8, which is typically read along with the weekly Torah portion from Berěshith/Genesis 37:1-40:23.

Before looking directly at this passage from Amos, I want to highlight the other 6 verses where we see the other 7 occurrences of יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag, being used in clear reference to the roaring voice of יהוה our Elohim!

As I go through these, please note that I am making mentioning these in order of the written Word, as we have in the Scriptures and I am therefore not presenting each in order of a historical timeline, but simply in order of what is presented to us in the text!

Firstly, we see the word יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag being used twice in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 25:30 “And you shall prophesy against them all these words, and say to them, ‘יהוהroars from on high, and utters His voice from His set-apart dwelling place. He roars mightily over His fold, a shout as those who tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.”

These words of Yirmeyahu was the word of Elohim that came to him concerning all the people of Yehuḏah, in the 4th year of the reign of Yehoyaqim son of Yoshiyahu. Yehoyaqim was the sovereign of that Pharaoh Neḵo had set up to reign over Yehuḏah.

He reigned 11years in Yerushalayim. And he did evil in the eyes of יהוהhis Elohim. Her served Neḇuḵaḏnetstsar sovereign of Baḇel for 3 years and then rebelled. Neḇuḵaḏnetstsar came up against him, and bound him in bronze shackles to take him away to Baḇel.

In the 4th year of his reign, after having rebelled against Neḇuḵaḏnetstsar, this severe judgement was pronounced over Yehuḏah, declaring that they would go onto captivity for 70 years – a clear judgement for not listening to Elohim, through the voice of His prophets.

They were being told that they would drink the cup of His wrath, even if they tried to refuse and as part of this judgement against them, given here in Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 25, Yirmeyahu is told to prophesy against them all the words of judgement and tell them that יהוה roars from on high and utters His voice from His set-apart dwelling place; and He roars mightily over His fold! A shout of trembling wrath!!!

In fact, the root word שָׁאַגshaag – Strong’s H7580 is used three times in this verse!

It is firstly used to declare that ‘יהוהroars’ and then we take note that the phrase ‘roars mightily’ is written in the Hebrew text as: שָׁאֹ֤ג יִשְׁאַג֙ – sha’og yish’ag, where the root word is used twice in a row, which is typically done in order to emphasise the point.

What is clearly being emphasises here is that The Lion has roared mightily and now has come the time of punishing for not hearing and responding with repentance, to the mighty roar of יהוה who sits on High!

The next time we see the use of the root word שָׁאַגshaag – Strong’s H7580, being written in the form יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag, is in:

Hoshěa/Hosea 11:10 “Let them follow יהוה. Like a lion He roars. When He roars, then sons shall tremble from the west.”

Once again, we see this form of יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag being used twice in this verse, giving a clear reference to יהוה’s voice being likened to the roar of a lion, and one which true children of the Most-High respond correctly to and return with fear and trembling!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘tremble’ comes from the root word חָרַדḥaraḏ – Strong’s H2729 which means, ‘trembling, to be terrified, frightened, afraid’.

The true remnant hears and comes trembling at His Word and brings the proper esteem that is due to יהוה of Hosts, while those that do not tremble at His Word and have no fear of Elohim will be swayed by every wind of teachings and doctrine of falsehood that tickle and soothe their ears to their own destruction!

Sha’ul tells us clearly in his letter to the Philippians, after making it clear that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that יהושע Messiah is Master, the following:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 2:12 “So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much rather in my absence – work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling”

The Greek word here for ‘trembling’ is τρόμοςtromos – Strong’s G5156 which means, ‘trembling, quaking with fear’. This word is used in the LXX in:

Tehillim/Psalm 2:11 “Serve יהוה with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

True trembling, in the fear of יהוה, is done with rejoicing, which highlights that obedience done in proper reverence of our Master and Elohim, gives the proper weight required in esteeming Elohim in Spirit and Truth.

So many today lack the proper respect due to Elohim and take Him too lightly, having no regard for guarding His commands as they cast His Torah behind them, showing that they do not have ears to hear the Lion roar and as a result they will be consumed in His jealous wrath!

It is at the sound of the Word of Elohim that the remnant responds and diligently submits to doing what is required!

The third passage where we find the root word שָׁאַגshaag – Strong’s H7580, being written in the form יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag, is in:

Yo’ěl/Joel 3:16 “And יהוהshall roarfrom Tsiyon, and give forth His voice from Yerushalayim. And the heavens and earth shall shake, but יהוהshall be a refuge for His people, and a stronghold for the children of Yisra’ěl.”

This verse is Chapter 4:16 in the Hebrew texts.

The first part of this verse is very similar to the text we started with, fromAmos 1:2, and what we do recognise here in Yo’ěl is the severe woe being given for the DAY of יהוה – that is, the day when He returns to trample the winepress in His wrath and gather His true remnant Bride unto Himself.

This verse highlights the truth of יהוה being a refuge and stronghold for His people, for His people hear His voice and tremble at His Word, this being found to have a proper working faith when He comes to gather His own!

When the trumpets usher in His return, His true remnant Bride will be likened to the wise maidens who had trimmed their lamps and had oil, dressed and ready for Him, and those who ‘hear, guard and do’ His Word, have the assurance of finding refuge in Him!

יהוה has spoken, and we would do well to take heed to His voice, for when He roars the heavens and the earth shall shake:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:25-26 “Take heed not to refuse the One speaking. For if those did not escape who refused the warning on earth, much less we who turn away from Him from heaven, 26 whose voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.”

Messiah, the Lamb, who is The Lion, has spoken, and just as the earth was once shaken by the voice of Elohim, and those who had disobeyed died, so too shall there be a shaking…only this time a bigger shaking, and many more will perish for not having listened and obeyed!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘refuge’ in Yo’ěl/Joel 3:16is מַחְסֶהmaḥseh – Strong’s H4268 which means, ‘refuge, shelter’, which comes from the root verb חָסָהḥasah – Strong’s H2620 which means, ‘to seek refuge, have hope, put trust in (Elohim)’.

Naḥum/Nahum 1:7 “יהוהis good, as a stronghold in the day of distress. And He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

Taking refuge in יהוה expresses a deeper intimate relationship of one who fully trusts in and relies upon יהוה, by holding on to the sure hope of deliverance being made complete, as they work out their deliverance with fear and trembling, by walking wholeheartedly in the clear Torah of Elohim!

The Hebrew word used for ‘refuge’ - מַחְסֶהmaḥseh – Strong’s H4268, and its root חָסָהḥasah – Strong’s H2620 is collectively used well over 50 times in Scripture, with the predominant use of these being found in the Tehillim/Psalms and other poetic and prophetic literature!

The idea of taking refuge may certainly be derived from the experiences of fugitives or men at war that would find shelter in the hills and find protection against their enemies.

We know in Scripture that the term ‘refuge’ is used as an epithet for Elohim!

An epithet is a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing. What Scripture repeatedly reveals to us is that יהוה, above all, is our Refuge, our Shelter and our Stronghold, and complete trust in Him protects those who take refuge in Him.

Tehillah/Psalm 118:8-9 “It is better to take refuge in יהוה than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in יהוה than to trust in princes.”

He is a secure shield to those who take refuge in Him:

Tehillah/Psalm 18:30 “The Ěl – His way is perfect; the Word of יהוה is proven; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

The analogy of taking refuge in יהוה can also be pictured in Scripture by the proper dwelling in His Tent which speaks of walking in complete set-apartness before Elohim and staying in Him!

The Hebrew word for ‘stronghold’ in Yo’ěl/Joel 3:16 is the word מָעוֹזma’oz – Strong’s H4581 means, ‘a place or means of safety, protection, defence, fortress, helmet’, and Dawiḏ declares in Tehillah/Psalm 27:1 that יהוה is the ‘refuge’ of his life, which is this word מָעוֹזma’oz – Strong’s H4581.

Based on this sure declaration he could boldly declare that with יהוה being his stronghold and refuge he did not need to be in dread or fear of his enemies!

The next time that we see the root word שָׁאַגshaag – Strong’s H7580, being written in the form יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag, is in:

Amos 3:4 “Does a lion roarin the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion give forth his voice out of his den unless he has caught?”

This verse is part of the passage that we are taking a look at this week, and in this text, along with the severe warning being given to Yisra’ĕl, the rhetorical question of whether a lion roars when there is no prey is asked, which highlights the clear fact that with the Lion having roared, there is prey to be devoured!

As we consider this rhetorical question along with the other 4 that are asked with this one, we see the progression of these questions making a clear statement that this rebellious people had shut their ears to hearing the Truth, and therefore the punishment that was about to come was not unmerited but rather it was rightly due, for their wayward rebellion.

Before continuing with this passage in Amos, I would first like to make mention of the last time we see the root word שָׁאַגshaag – Strong’s H7580, being written in the form יִשְׁאָ֔ג – yish’ag, which is in Iyoḇ/Job 37:4 and in order to grasp the power of the words spoken therein, I would like us to look at the following:

Iyoḇ/Job 37:1-6 “At this too my heart trembles, and leaps from its place. 2 Listen, listen to the trembling of His voice, and the sound that comes from His mouth. 3 He lets it loose under all the heavens, and His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of His excellency, and He does not hold them back when His voice is heard. 5Ěl thunders wondrously with His voice; doing great deeds, which we do not understand. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Be on the earth,’ also to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.”

It is Elihu that is speaking here and why I wanted to read the first 6 verses of this chapter is to highlight the reference to the voice that roars, being clearly referred to the trembling voice of Elohim who, at His voice lets loose lightning and thunder and snow and rain!

This emphasises the clear power of the roaring voice of Elohim over all His creation; and anyone who does not want to listen is simply a fool and will be destroyed for turning a deaf ear to the roar of The Mighty Lion!

As we consider the passages that we have briefly taken a look at, in referring to the Mighty Lion roaring voice of יהוה, we must take heed of the fact that we have an enemy who is constantly seeking for those he can devour; and if we do not recognise or know the true lion roaring voice of Elohim then we may be found guilty of being led astray and devoured by a counterfeit voice, as Kěpha warns us in:

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 5:8-11 “Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the belief, knowing that the same hardships are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 And the Elohim of all favour, who called you to His everlasting esteem by Messiah יהושע, after you have suffered a while, Himself perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the esteem and the might forever and ever. Aměn.”

The devil walks about ‘like a roaring lion’…he is not THE ROARING LION!!! Him we are to resist and stand firm in the belief by finding our true strength and refuge in יהושע The Lion of the tribe of Yehuḏah!

In a rebuke of the false prophets and priests, we take note of what was said in:

Yeḥezq’ěl/Ezekiel 22:23-26 “And the word of יהוה came to me, saying, 24 “Son of man, say to her, ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained upon in the day of displeasure.’ 25 “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured life, they have taken wealth and precious matters, they have made many widows in her midst. 26 “Her priests have done violence to My teaching and they profane My set-apart matters. They have not distinguished between the set-apart and profane, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean. And they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned in their midst.”

A land not being cleansed or rained upon is a clear judgement for disobedience and here we take note of how the prophets were like a roaring lion that tears at the prey.

The people had been made the prey of falsehood and lies, and as a result of the priests having done violence to the Torah and not properly distinguishing between the set-apart and the profane and profaning the Sabbaths, severe judgement was decreed!

This severe warning is as alive for us today as it was for Yisra’ěl back then. We do not have to look too far to see how so many false prophets and priests are profaning the Word of Elohim and in the process are making a complete prey of people, devouring them with lies and falsehood, causing the people to not know the True Roaring voice of Elohim, as they have substituted it with an ear-tickling corrupted tongue that proclaims a peace when there is no peace, as we know that the vengeance of the Lion on its way!

With this backdrop of the roar of a lion, we can get a clearer understanding of the severe words of warning and rebuke that is given in the passage of Amos 2:6-3:8, and we would do well to take heed of these words, lest we find ourselves having been tricked in to listening to a lying ‘lion-like voice’ as opposed to the clear roar of the only One True Lion of the Tribe of Yehuḏah!

Amos was called to announce 8 burdens, or oracles of judgement, against the surrounding nations, climaxing with judgement being decreed against Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl.

In these 8 oracles of judgement to the nations, as well as Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl, we see the repeated phrasing of יהוה being clearly given toward each nation, as: “For three transgressions… and for four, I do not turn it back” Some translate this to mean 3+4=7 and therefore highlights how sin has reached its fullness. So here in Amos, 3 transgressions already represented the fullness of the transgressions and so, using the term ‘for 4’, highlights how their transgressions had already gone beyond all measure of depravity and signifies a wretched excess which could not be permitted to continue; and in declaring this it is made clear that by this point יהוה would not turn back or relent, but would send forth His decreed judgement, for repentance had been shrugged off as his prophets that had been sent had been rejected!!!

I will briefly run through each of these oracles of judgement, that are given in Amos Chapters 1-2:

1 – Dammeseq (1:3-5):

This was the Capital of Syria and means ‘silent is the sackcloth weaver’ – a pretty arrogant name that proclaims that they will never mourn – and this is a picture of the rebellious pride that יהוה will destroy. יהוה gave Yisra’ĕl into the hands of Aram in order to discipline them, and when Yeho’aḥaz cried out toיהוה, He delivered them from Aram, yet Aram had decimated Yisra’ĕl with great cruelty and brutality and enjoyed it; and for this, judgement was now decreed! (Melaḵim Bet/2 Kings 13)

2 – Azzah (1:6-8):

This was the Capital of Philistia – this was a centre for slave trade, based on the Mediterranean Coast and they had enslaved Yisra’ĕl and deported them by selling them into slavery to Eḏom.

3 – Tsor (1:9-10):

This was the Capital of Phoenicia. They had delivered up many of the exiles to Eḏom and had broken a peace treaty.

4 - Eḏom (1:11-12)

Eḏom is Ěsaw, who had relentlessly pursued his brother with the sword, having intense hatred and no compassion, but rather held on to his wrath forever! We still this very clearly today, as the ‘Eḏom’ spirit of the lust for flesh, and world dominance, holds intense hatred toward the True set-apart ones of Elohim!

Here, Botsrah has prophetic end-time significance, where יהוה has a slaughtering in Botsrah. (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 34:6/63:1).

5 – Ammon (1:13-15)

Ammon devastated Yisra’ĕl and took the territory of Gad by killing pregnant woman.

6 – Mo’aḇ(2:1-3)

Mo’aḇ desecrated the tombs of Eḏom, showing disrespect by burning the king’s bones to lime.

6 oracles of Judgement were given to the surrounding nations – and I firmly believe that each one has significant relevance to end-time prophecy, in regards to the outpouring of the wrath of Elohim, when He shall roar and send His fire and Judgement.

We now move to the words that are spoken against Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl:

7 – Yehuḏah(2:4-5)

They had rejected the Torah of יהוה, and did not guard His commands and were led astray after the inherited lies of their fathers.

The lies of the fathers are still causing many to forsake the Torah today and as a result, many do not know how to guard His commands. This is very interesting to see how this was way before the Baḇelon captivity, where they would later inherit more lies!

8 – Yisra’ĕl(2:6-16)

Under the reign of Yaroḇ’am, Yisra’ĕl had gone further and further away from obedience to the Torah.

They had become immoral, were riddled with idolatry and injustice prevailed, as the poor and righteous among them were traded for the love of money and enslaved, as the wicked grew in power, ruling with wickedness and corruption. The moral values and instructions of the Torah had been forsaken and immorality reigned, as father and son shared women, and they forsook the Torah by taking garments in pledge and lying on them by every alter – which was outright abominable worship in the face of יהוה.

Pretty much sounds a lot like society at large today – immoral, corrupt, blasphemers, showing no justice or any standards of righteousness. And this is what a shepherd from Teqowa was to now speak against Yisra’ĕl.

In Amos 2:9-12, יהוה reminds them how He had destroyed the Amorite and how He had delivered them from Mitsrayim, led them in the Wilderness for 40 years and gave them prophets and made some of the sons Nazirites!

What did this rebellious bride do?

They told the prophets not to prophesy and they made the Nazirites, who were supposed to abstain from anything from the vine, drink wine and made them drunk!

When I see these words, I am reminded of the passage in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 30:8-11 “And go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it on a scroll, that it is for a latter day, a witness forever: 9 that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who refuse to hear the Torah of יהוה, 10 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right. Speak to us what is smooth, prophesy deceits. 11 “Turn aside from the way, swerve from the path, cause the Set-apart One of Yisra’ěl to cease from before us.”

Rebellious, lying children who refuse to hear the Torah of יהוה are going to face the wrath of the roaring voice of the Lion! Rebellious liars do not want the Truth as they just want their ears tickled.

This was a scroll that was to be written for a latter-day witness, and so, here we are in the last days yet many have rejected this witness as Sha’ul clearly warned Timotiyos about the last days, and told him to be urgent in speaking the Truth:

Timotiyos Bĕt/2 Timothy 4:1-5 “In the sight of Elohim and the Master יהושעMessiah, who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His reign, I earnestly charge you: 2 Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Convict, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching.3 For there shall be a time when they shall not bear sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they shall heap up for themselves teachers tickling the ear,4 and they shall indeed turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths. 5 But you be sober in all matters, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, accomplish your service completely.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘tickling’ is κνήθωknēthō – Strong’s G2833 which means, ‘to scratch, itch’ and is used only in Sha’ul’s letter to Timotiyos, being used as a metaphor for having the desire, or itch, to hear something that is soothing and pleasant to the ears!

Those who refuse to submit to the Torah of Elohim will seek out teachers that will soothe their itching ears with deception and lies.

Sha’ul warned Timotiyos that a time would come when this would happen, yet we also see this pattern being displayed by a rebellious people in the days of Yeshayahu, as quoted above!

People who refuse to hear the Torah of יהוה seek out those who will speak to them what is smooth and prophesy deceits and not what is right!

The Hebrew word that is translated hear as ‘smooth’ comes from the root word חֶלְקָהḥelqah – Strong’s H2513 which means, ‘smooth part, smoothness, flattery, pleasant words’, and comes from the root verb חָלַקḥalaq – Strong’s H2505 which means, ‘to be smooth, or being deceitful, and also means to flatter or seduce’.This word also carries the understanding of, ‘giving misleading opinions or thought about what is true, often encouraging wrong behaviour’.

This root verb חָלַקḥalaq – Strong’s H2505 is used to describe the smooth and flattering words of the strange woman in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 7:5“To guard you against the strange woman, against the foreigner who flatterswith her words.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 7 emphasises that the way to guard against the smooth and flattering words of deceit, of the whore, is to guard the commands!

How sad it is today, to see how so many have been seduced in following ‘misleading opinions’ and are being ‘encouraged to be disobedient’ by the ‘smooth talkers’ – beware of the smooth talkers! And even more importantly – do not be a smooth talker – be a truth talker!

The wisdom of Elohim will protect us from the ear tickling words of the adulterous whore that is leading so many astray, as true hearers and doers of the Word have heard the roar of The Lion and are working out their deliverance in fear and trembling!

In Amos 3:3-5 we see 5 rhetorical questions being asked, as I already made mention of, and these leading rhetorical questions are used to reveal why the judgement of Elohim was necessary, as Yisra’ěl were not strangers to the Covenant – they were a covenanted nation, having not only met with Elohim, but had been betrothed and therefore expected to walk with Elohim as opposed to turning away from Him!

In asking these questions, to which the obvious answer is ‘no’, in verse 6 the question of if a shofar is blown, do the people not tremble – should be a ‘yes’, yet for this rebellious lot it was also a ‘no’, for they had turned their ears away from the sound of the Truth, having turned aside to myths and falsehood! They did not know the sounding!

We are told in Scripture that blessed are those who know the sounding!

Tehillah/Psalm 89:5 “Blessed are the people who know the sounding! They walk, O יהוה, in the light of Your face.”

For more on this powerful verse, I encourage you to take a look at the message called, ‘BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THE SOUNDING – AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE WORD TERUAH! which can be found on our site (http://atfotc.com) under the sermons 2017/2018 menu of by clicking on the following link:

The sound of our Master and Elohim has been made abundantly clear through His Word and we must take heed to be sober and watch, as we have ears to hear what His Spirit says, guarding righteousness so that in His day we may be found to be in Him, our refuge and strength!

Those who shut their ears to the hearing of the Torah and the proper submission and obedience required, with have no escape from the judgement that is coming!

Those who have turned to the Master and have been immersed in him, have been clothed in righteousness and have the clear responsibility of keep the garments of set-apartness clean at all times!

In Amos 2:13יהוה declares that He is weighed down by their depravity and likens this to a wagon that is filled with sheaves, which in itself highlights the clear prophetic announcement that the harvest has been brought in and is ready for threshing, from which none can escape!

In Amos 2:16 we are told that even the one who is potent of heart will flee naked in that day! This is a clear picture of the rebellious having no covering and their nakedness and shame shall be uncovered before the face of the Master and will not be able to escape or hide from His wrath!

When we consider these words of prophesy, we are able to see the prophetic nature of these words being clearly declared at the times of Messiah.

When He was arrested, there is an account that is given in Marqos/mark 14 that may seem odd and strange to some, yet when understood in the light of these prophetic words of judgement being declared in Amos, we can identify with what took place and understand how judgement has been decreed and those who do not accept and confess Messiah will be laid bare before Elohim for judgement!

Marqos/Mark 14:51-52 “And a certain young man was following Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And when they seized him, 52 he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.”

While this may appear to be a very odd event taking place, what we can glean from this is the clear announcement taking place, with theclear judgement being given to a rebellious people.

Those who had arrested Messiah and tried to seize this unknown follower, would clearly be reminded of the words of Amos 2:16 and how they would have no place of covering in the One they had now rejected and despised!

Yisra’ěl was told to hear the Word that יהוה had spoken against them, against the entire clan that He had delivered from Mitsrayim. This highlights to me the sobering reality of how this rebuke was to a people who had known Elohim and had turned away, which, in many ways, can emphasise how this Word is still a very valid rebuke to many who may claim to be believers yet are living a life that is riddled with compromise!

The passage that we are looking at, that has a clear message of rebuke and judgement against a rebellious Yisra’ěl, builds up to the clear point that: ‘a lion has roared’!

Amos 3:8 “A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? The Master יהוהhas spoken! Who would not prophesy?”

The Lion that has roared is the Master יהוה and He has spoken – His Word has been decreed! Within this statement, two questions are asked:

1) Who is not afraid? And

2) Who would not prophesy?

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘afraid’ is יִירָ֑א – yiyra which comes from the root word -יָרֵאyare – Strong’s H3372 which means, ‘to fear, be afraid, be in awe, show reverence and respect’.

True obedience and set-apart servanthood begin with the proper fear of יהוה, which was greatly lacking back then and is still lacking today!

The root word יָרֵאyare – Strong’s H3372 is used in:

Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: FearElohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind!”

This word יָרֵאyare – Strong’s H3372 is used to describe the reverence and respect we ought to have for Elohim, by being dutiful in our obedience; yet when one is disobedient this ‘fear’ is not out of reverence, but is rather a fear as a result of being afraid for being disobedient and the consequences of the punishment for disobedience that are due!

It is used in:

Berěshith/Genesis 3:10 “And he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraidbecause I was naked, so I hid myself.”

Here Aḏam was afraid because he had sinned, however we see this same root word -יָרֵאyare – Strong’s H3372being used in a positive sense in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:13 “Fearיהוה your Elohim and serve Him, and swear by His Name.”

The one that fears יהוה will refrain from doing that which is displeasing to Him. Fear of Him does not cause us to shrink back as one would from a fierce enemy or wild beast, but rather it causes us to draw near to Him and fills us with a reverent awe with the urgent zeal and desire in doing our utmost to please Him in every way!

Proper fear of Elohim will lead to a proper service unto Him, revealing who His true set-apart servants are – which are those who guard His commands and hold fast and overcome!

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:7 “The one who overcomes shall inherit all this, and I shall be his Elohim and he shall be My son.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.”

Aḏam was afraid when he was naked and exposed through sin, yet here in Amos the question is asked of who is afraid, as despite the clear depravity of a rebellious people, who had witnessed the power of the deliverance of Elohim, were not even ashamed of their sin and rebellion, showing that they had no true fear of Elohim.

Nobody was afraid and nobody was prophesying!!!

The Hebrew word for ‘prophesy’ comes from the root verbנָבָאnaḇa – Strong’s H5012 which simply means ‘to speak or sing (by inspiration) or communicate a message from a deity -either of proper behavior to a standard, or of future events’. A prophet’s role is to call people back to the Torah of Elohim and give a severe warning of what will happen if they do not listen! Nobody was speaking or teaching the Truth!

In a rebuke given to Yisra’ěl and the following of the falsehood we see how the priests and prophets were speaking words of peace when there was no peace:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 6:13-14 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, they are all greedy for gain. And from the prophet even to the priest, all act falsely. 14 “And they heal the breach of My people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”

Ěḵah/Lamentations 2:14 “Your prophets have seen falsehood and folly for you, and have not shown you your crookedness, to turn back your captivity. But their visions for you are false and misleading messages.”

Through the false and misleading messages, we see how so many have actually begun to teach themselves to speak falsehood; a falsehood that has been so ingrained in them as we are able to see through the mirror of the example given to us in Yirmeyahu being a clear reflection of the state of falsehood that prevails on the earth today!

Ear-tickling falsehood does not show the true mirror of the Word and misleads people into thinking that they are ok, when in fact their lawlessness and sin has not been properly dealt with and stopped, as they reject the need to submit to and walk in the Torah of Elohim, due to being misled by false prophets and teachers.

These words of Amos are extremely important for us today and are words that need to be spoken very clearly to a people who have continually turned away from the Truth, and as obedient and faithful ambassadors of the reign of Messiah we need to be charged, just as Timotiyos was, to:

Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Convict, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching!

How urgent are you in your proclamation of the truth amidst a generation that continually seeks ear-tickling messages?

The question of who is not afraid is directed to a disobedient people, and herein lies a clear truth of how urgent we are to be to make the Truth known to Elohim, without sugar coating what is coming upon those who are not afraid when they hear the roar of the Lion!

The Lion has roared and anyone who has not responded to His very clear and loud rebuking roar, and have refused to repent and turn back to Elohim, shall be consumed in His wrath, when יהושע Messiah, The Lion of the tribe of Yehuḏah, comes to trod the winepress!

Tehillah/Psalm 22:23 “You who fear יהוה, praise Him! All you seed of Ya’aqoḇ, esteem Him, and fear Him, all you seed of Yisra’ĕl!”

To give proper esteem that is due to יהוה, we must give weight and honour to guarding His presence and doing what He commands. In other words, a true life of praise does not take lightly the need to obey what His word commands, and does not give in to compromise for fear of what others may say or think!

THE LION HAS ROARED - WHO IS NOT AFRAID!

The Lion has roared and our need to have ears to hear, and guard to do, righteousness, is extremely important, so that we are not in danger of being a prey for the wrath of Elohim for having turned from hearing the roar of the Lion, but rather find our true refuge and stronghold in Him!

As true ambassadors of Messiah, The Lion, I charge go out and proclaim the what the Lion has already roared!!!

יהוה bless you and guard you;יהוה make His face shine upon you and show favour to you; יהוה lift up His face to and give you shalom!